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Guided Tours

Notre-Dame Exterior Guided Tour with Reserved Entry

Notre-Dame Cathedral facade statues in Paris, featuring religious figures.
Guide leading group through Paris streets on Notre Dame tour.
Guide leading a tour in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France.
Notre-Dame de Reims, France, showcasing Gothic flying buttresses and detailed stone carvings.

Duration

1 hr - 3 hr

Open today

08:00am - 06:45pm

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

3.7/5

(241)

Marcey Sechet

Marcey

Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
The guide was great - friendly, knowledgeable and funny. We learned a lot about the history of the Isle de la Cité and he explained the facade of Notre Dame in detail, in a way that was very easy to understand. He also answered many questions about the fire and seemed to have answers for everyone. We were surprised that we didn't actually get skip-the-line tickets with this tour, which is what I had understood. We ended up having to wait in line with everyone else. We were there early morning, so the line-up wasn't very long, but I can imagine I would have been quite annoyed if we had had to wait for longer, because to tell the truth, the main reason I bought the tour was to have a timed entrance to the cathedral.
Paul Hearn

Paul

Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Booked this tour primarily because I couldn't get a 'direct entry' booking for free entry to Notre Dame on the cathedral's official website, despite trying very early when the ND booking slot opened! This turned out to be a fateful benefit. Pepe was our guide and he was excellent! Apart from the information about Notre Dame it was fascinating to hear about the Rue de Venise, see the Zero Point of Paris and learn that Louis derived from Clovis (even the French-fluent, Doctor of history that I was visiting with didn't know that!). Thanks to Pepe's information and enthusiasm we even visited the Crypte archéologigue after touring Notre Dame - a thing that we did not plan to do, but thoroughly enjoyed!
Alice Masini

Alice

Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We accidentally booked the experience with Head Out because we wanted to skip the line!!! We are a family of 2 adults and a 13 year old teenage boy. The 'experience was very interesting and our guide Leonardo was able to explain everything thoroughly while also making us laugh and not leaving out topical details! I would highly recommend it to all families with teenage children who chew some English and who like to not only watch but understand A bientoit !!! Alice
    • Step right into Notre-Dame with direct entry, saving precious time at this iconic Paris landmark.

    • Your guide sets the scene outside, with a 20–30 minute introduction revealing Notre-Dame’s dramatic history and secrets in English, French or Spanish.

    • Marvel at the Cathedral’s majestic arches and stained-glass windows, exploring freely after your guided introduction.

    • Discover how Notre-Dame’s royal ties, hidden symbols, and near destruction shaped both the cathedral and the city of Paris.

    • Upgrade to an early bird entry to enjoy a quieter, crowd-free visit to the cathedral before peak hours begin.

    • Direct entry to Notre-Dame

    • Exterior guided tour (English, French, or Spanish)

    • Early bird access to the Cathedral (as per option selected)

  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • 3.7
    241 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    104
    54
    25
    11
    47
    Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Germany and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Marcey Sechet

    Marcey

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    The guide was great - friendly, knowledgeable and funny. We learned a lot about the history of the Isle de la Cité and he explained the facade of Notre Dame in detail, in a way that was very easy to understand. He also answered many questions about the fire and seemed to have answers for everyone. We were surprised that we didn't actually get skip-the-line tickets with this tour, which is what I had understood. We ended up having to wait in line with everyone else. We were there early morning, so the line-up wasn't very long, but I can imagine I would have been quite annoyed if we had had to wait for longer, because to tell the truth, the main reason I bought the tour was to have a timed entrance to the cathedral.
    Paul Hearn

    Paul

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Booked this tour primarily because I couldn't get a 'direct entry' booking for free entry to Notre Dame on the cathedral's official website, despite trying very early when the ND booking slot opened! This turned out to be a fateful benefit. Pepe was our guide and he was excellent! Apart from the information about Notre Dame it was fascinating to hear about the Rue de Venise, see the Zero Point of Paris and learn that Louis derived from Clovis (even the French-fluent, Doctor of history that I was visiting with didn't know that!). Thanks to Pepe's information and enthusiasm we even visited the Crypte archéologigue after touring Notre Dame - a thing that we did not plan to do, but thoroughly enjoyed!
    Papaxanthos  Aline

    Papaxanthos

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    3/5
    The visit to the interior of Notre Dame using the wire-cut ticket was cancelled due to a religious event, as indicated in the booking. However, we would have liked to have been informed in advance. The guide told us he didn't know either! On the other hand, the guide handled the incident very well. Fortunately, there was a mass at 12pm which we attended and didn't wait to get back.
    Pamela Wellner

    Pamela

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Great to get background on the history of the church, origins of France, architecture and of the surrounding area. The interior ticket was great too as a way to get ahead of the line. Pepe was very informative.
    vittorio loro

    Vittorio

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Btavissima , kind , punctual, nice , the guide, Tammy it seems to me...amazing and comprehensive explanations, really complete and with details that , despite many other trips, I had never heard...
  • Experience the story of Notre-Dame with a guided introduction and direct entry.

    Getting started

    Meet your professional guide just outside the main entrance of Notre-Dame Cathedral. After a brief introduction, your guide will share essential context and highlight what to look for inside. Your tickets are validated on the spot, after which you can enter.

    What to expect

    Notre Dame

    Notre-Dame Cathedral stands as a symbol of Parisian history and Gothic architecture, renowned for its centuries-old façade and pivotal role in the city’s cultural life. Your guide will reveal the cathedral’s royal connections, the meaning behind its sculpted details, and stories of its near destruction and restoration.

    Features

    • Guided introduction: Gain a concise overview of Notre-Dame’s history, including its royal ties and the significance of its exterior sculptures on an exterior guided tour.

    • Direct entry: Enter the cathedral without waiting, allowing you to maximize your time for exploration.

    • Architectural highlights: Discover the cathedral’s pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses: hallmarks of Gothic innovation.

    • Stained glass windows: Admire the intricate stained glass, including the famous rose windows, celebrated for their artistry and storytelling.

    • Independent exploration: After the introduction, explore the interior at your own pace, equipped with new knowledge to appreciate every detail.

    Upgrade

    • Early bird ticket: Select the early bird option while booking and enjoy a quieter, crowd-free visit to the cathedral before peak hours begin.
  • Notre Dame Paris

    Monday08:00am - 06:45pm
    Tuesday08:00am - 06:45pm
    Wednesday08:00am - 06:45pm
    Thursday08:00am - 06:45pm
    Friday08:00am - 06:45pm
    Saturday08:00am - 07:45pm
    Sunday08:00am - 07:45pm
  • What to bring

    • Bring a valid photo ID for entry.

    • Keep your ticket with you at all times, as you may need to show it when entering different areas of the cathedral.

    What’s not allowed

    • Large bags, suitcases, and oversized luggage are not allowed.

    • Pets are not permitted, except for registered service animals.

    • Smoking, eating, and drinking are not allowed inside.

    • Flash photography, tripods, and filming equipment are prohibited.

    • Loud conversations and phone calls are not permitted—please keep the atmosphere peaceful.

    Accessibility

    • The cathedral is accessible for visitors with mobility impairments.

    • Wheelchairs are available upon request at the entrance (subject to availability).

    • Accessible toilets are available within the cathedral.

    Additional information

    • Visitors under 18 and EU citizens under 26 can access the cathedral for free, but a ticket is still required for entry.

    • Cloakrooms are available for small items.

    • The cathedral is closed on certain holidays (e.g., January 1, May 1, and December 25).

    • Dress code: Modest attire is required to enter the cathedral. Shorts above the knee, mini-skirts, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, crop tops, low-cut tops, and clothing with offensive imagery or messages are not allowed. Men must remove their hats before entering.

    • Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled entry or tour start time to ensure a smooth experience.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.
    • Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.

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